OPI Not Like the Movies

How many colors do you count up there?  It looks like a green, a blue, almost a pinky purple...  I thought this color was going to be my new obsession.  OPI's Not Like the Movies from the Katy Perry collection is listed as a sultry silver but I really didn't see too much silver... except for the silver microglitter that was running through the bottle - quite a surprise to me!


I used a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 3 coats of Not Like the Movies and a top of OPI Top Coat.  I found the formula to be good, just a bit thin and not as build-able opaque as I hoped.

This is a bit what I would think deborah lippmann Wicked Game looks like - a different color at every turn of your hand.  


Update: Jenny from Polishology has a great comparison post here!

Check out this awesome view of the duochrome (trichrome?) in action with the green on my first two fingers and the purple gray on the last two fingers.  This was fun to play with it, for sure but overall wasn't quite what I expected.  I have to admit, it's much more fun in person than in pictures - I couldn't quite capture the range of colors you see on the nail.


And finally, a layer of Black Shatter over it all.

Unfortunately for me, all the purple disappeared after Black Shatter was applied and you were stuck with the purple.  While it's a beautiful purple, I loved all the swirling colors.


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

OPI Teenage Dream

It's January and the OPI Katy Perry Collection has launched!  If you've been following OPI's Facebook Wall, you know that this collection has been in HIGH demand and shipments are delayed as many as six weeks for some retailers.  WOW!  Go Katy!

OPI Teenage Dream is a pink based polish packed with small disced rainbow glitter (silver that reflects light).


I used a base of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 3 coats of Teenage Dream and topped with OPI Top Coat.  Application wasn't bad.  Pink can be a hard color to wear because you're not sure if it's opaque or not when suspended with glitter, so I used three coats to be sure but I could have gotten away with 2.

In the sun, this color just looks a bit drab against my skin tone.  You can tell there's lots of glitter in the bottle, but it doesn't bounce around on my nails as much.  I'm wondering if it's because of the sun being so low in the sky, or what.

Indirect sun - you can see a bit more of the glitter, especially on the pinkie.

In the shade, you can see there is a lot of glitter that is transferred to the nail.


Also in the Katy Perry is a bottle of Black Shatter, so I went ahead and put a layer over after putting on OPI Top Coat.  I then sealed it with Seche Vite to give my nails a smooth feeling.

I loved this.  I loved it so much I made it my NOTD (Nail Of The Day) and wore it to the gym where I was constantly staring at my nails.  The crackle/shatter works so well when paired with a glitter.  Uber win.


My only real complaint was removal.  The glitter was a pain to get off my nails - so much so that I used pure acetone instead of my normal Zoya Remove+.  Otherwise, this is a great shade.


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

MAC Mean and Green

Oh MAC Mean & Green, what an enigma you are!  Are you purple? Are you green?  Are you golden yellow?!


I used a base of Seche Natural, 3 coats of Mean & Green, and a top of Seche Vite.  Application was okay but the polish felt too sheer for me, especially for the price.


Here's some sun overload.

Here are two pictures in the shade

See what I mean?!  It's all over the map!  I didn't keep this color on too long... the green is such a weird murky color for me.  I felt like it was a little like China Glaze Zombie Zest or even Ick-A-Body with the green base, but the purple was at least a nice pop.  I am a sucker for a purple.  :)

MAC retails for $13 a bottle and can be purchased at MAC stores, counters or online.  Currently online, Mean & Green is sold out and there isn't any word if there will be restocking.  Check your local MAC counter/store!

OPI Black Shatter

Alright people, I'm going to be honest.  When I first heard about this "shatter/crackle" trend, I was miffed.  I feel like "shattered" nail polish resembles chipped nail polish which is such a no-no for me.  Now granted, I said I didn't like matte nail polish originally because it looked too much like a chalkboard, and now I'm in love with matte.  Would I feel the same about shatter/crackle nail polish?


THE ANSWER IS DUH!  YES!  THIS STUFF IS AWESOME!

I took my existing manicure of Simply Smash-ing! and just painted one thin layer of Black Shatter over it.  In about 20 seconds, the polish completely separates, leaving you with a cracked effect.  I even took a video for you!

Here are some finished pictures in the sun and in the shade.

I did not use a top coat afterwards, but I recommend it if you like smooth nails (and I do).

OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.

OPI Simply Smash-ing!

Remember this post?  Now it's time to check it out!

Serena Williams is one of the only tennis players I can name, but not only is she an amazing player, she always has had some amazing nails!  I thought it was pretty neat that OPI paired with her for the Gram Slam collection which was this - Simply Smash-ing! and a Black Shatter (ooh, coming soon!).  It is a glitter without the grit, yellow-green leaning towards gold.  I'm tempted to call it glass fleck because it wore just like Zoya Sparkle's collection or the China Glaze Summer Days.  Removal was similar as well, leaving behind microglitter on my hands.


I used a base coat of OPI Natural Nail Base Coat, 2 coats of Simply Smash-ing! and a top of OPI Top Coat.

In the sun, you can see a few bald spots on my nails where the color didn't stick as well.  However, you can also see a bit of green in the polish.  I'm happy to say my nails did NOT stain after application - always a fear of mine.

Indirect sun picture - again you can see the smooth application with glitter but no grit of glitter.  I do love the OPI Pro-Wide brush - it helps get the polish in one stroke instead of 4 or 5 mini strokes.

Finally - shade.  You can really see the olive greenish coming out now.  I don't think this color flatters me that well, but when you add the Black Shatter... well let's just say it spices things up!


OPI is available at Professional Salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, and Ulta, for $8.50 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer. Please visit their website for details [official website].  

Disclosure: The product[s] in this post was [were] provided to me by the company for consideration.  For more information, please read this post.